Some dirt is inevitable when it comes to our kid’s cleats, running shoes, and other athletic shoes. However, regular cleaning can help prolong the life of the shoes, not to mention, cleaner shoes often have better grip and support.

Many shoe manufacturers have their own guidelines on how to best clean your athletic shoes, but all brands follow the same basic idea. The cleaning methods for almost all athletic shoes are relatively similar, so you can follow these steps whether you’re working on soccer cleats or tennis shoes.

These tips are ideal for grass stains, gravel stains, dirt, and just about anything else a pair of shoes would encounter during your child’s sporting career!

Video Walkthrough

How to Wash the Insoles & Laces

First, remove the insoles from the shoes. If the laces are dirty, remove those as well. These parts of the shoe can be machine washed.

• To machine wash the insoles and laces, place them into a garment bag or pillowcase.
• Then, wash them as normal on a gentle setting.
• If you’re worried about your insoles or your washing machine does not have a gentle setting, you can include a few towels in the same load to help cushion the insoles.

Helpful tip

Never soak the insoles, as this could cause them to lose their shape and support. If you’ve washed them and they’re still not smelling fresh, it might be time for a replacement pair.

Wait, Can I Machine Wash the Whole Shoe?

Some shoes can be washed entirely in the washing machine. The main reason you can’t wash some shoes is the type of glue used, as some types will degrade in the wash. Most shoes will indicate somewhere on the tag whether they can or cannot be machine washed.

If the shoes can be machine washed, follow these steps:

• Place the shoes in a garment bag or pillowcase
• Use warm (not hot) water and a small amount of gentle detergent
• Use a gentle or low spin cycle
• Air-dry the shoes when done

If the shoes cannot be machine washed, continue on with the steps below.

How to Wash the Sole

It might seem counter-intuitive, but allow any mud to dry completely first. Once it has dried it will be much easier and less messy to remove dirt rather than mud. Clap the dry shoes together outside to remove the majority of the dirt.

Then, use a brush and water to remove the rest of the dirt. Add a small amount of detergent to the water for especially stubborn dirt or if you are cleaning shoes with white soles.

You can use a dry brush, shoe brush, or even a toothbrush for this step. If you’re using a stiff brush, avoid the upper part of the shoe as stiff bristles can damage the fabric.

Helpful tip

For cleats, use a popsicle stick or putty knife to clean between the cleats. It’s also not a bad idea to keep one in your child’s sport’s bag to clean mud from between the cleats during halftime for optimal grip.

How to Wash the Upper

The upper, or the fabric part of the shoe that wraps around your foot, needs to be washed with a bit more care than the sole and the insole.

To wash the upper, first mix a gentle laundry detergent with warm water. Don’t use bleach or other household cleaners on your shoes. Only use soap that you would use on clothing. For specific stains, you can use stronger detergent in an isolated area, similar to how you would clean your kid’s sports uniform.

You’ll want to use around 2 oz of detergent (or one capful) for every 2 cups of water. You may need to adjust the recipe slightly based on how concentrated of a detergent you’re using. Just be careful not to use too much, as it will be difficult to rinse away.

Next, dip a sponge into the detergent and water mixture and start washing the upper portion of the shoe. Be sure to use gentle, dabbing motions to help lift any stains and stubborn dirt.

Once the shoes are clean, use a sponge or microfiber cloth to rinse the shoes of any leftover soap. Don’t submerge the shoe in water, as this can damage the glue and cause materials like leather to crack.

Helpful tip

If the shoe you’re cleaning is made of leather, nubuck, or suede, it’s best to use a special cleanser made for these materials. Soap and hot water can damage these natural fabrics, causing them to crack or lose their shape.

How to Dry Your Athletic Shoes

Do not put any shoe in the dryer, even if they were safe to machine wash. Instead, allow the shoes to air-dry in a well-ventilated area.

You can place newspaper or paper towel in the shoes to help absorb excess moisture and speed up the drying process. This can also help the shoes keep their shape.

Helpful tip:

Don’t place the shoes in direct sunlight or next to a direct heat source when drying. Heat from a hairdryer, radiator, or the sun might help the shoes dry faster, but it can also damage the shoe.

Quick Tips for Fresher & Cleaner Shoes

Washing the shoes regularly will help with any unpleasant smells, but these tips will help keep your kid’s shoes smelling fresh between washes.

• Baking soda is a great natural, DIY odor absorber. Sprinkle some into the shoes, let it sit overnight, and dump the powder out in the morning. For a fresh scent, you can do the same with a dryer sheet.
• When storing the shoes, keep them in a breathable bag (this will help reduce odors in both the shoes and the bag). Once you get home, remove the shoes and place them on a shelf if you can.
• With these tips, your kids will not only have cleaner shoes but longer-lasting ones too!

The post How to Clean Cleats, Running Shoes, & Athletic Shoes appeared first on Sports Mom Survival Guide.

Sometimes you don’t have the time, the energy, or the willingness to make a complex dinner. Or it’s early in the morning and you just want to have something healthy to eat without having to combine twenty different ingredients to make it taste good.

Or it’s a public health emergency that causes everything to shut down and people to hoard. Life can be weird sometimes. At the time of writing this, the entire world is dealing with the coronavirus.

Thankfully, if the history of cooking and food has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go. As long as you have what many would consider being basic ingredients, you can still make great food without much effort that will taste fantastic.

Do you have a good variety of groceries on hand? We have you covered if you’re getting bored with the same meals:

• 30+ Meatball Recipes For Quick Meals
• 13 {30 Minute} Hearty Soups
• 12 Ingredients To Have On Hand For Quick Meals
• Make Ahead Chicken And Bean Burrito
• 7 Easy Low-Carb & High-Protein Snacks

We’ve collected 10 recipes that can be made with 8 ingredients or less. Of those 8 ingredients, we’ve done our best to limit the ones you may need to go out and buy to 1 or 2 per recipe. We included 2 bonus recipes at the end that require a few fresh ingredients you may have on hand already!

Delicious Recipes Using Pantry Ingredients

3 Ingredient Mexican Rice

Able to serve as the base for many a meal, as well as being tasty all on its own, this 3 ingredient Mexican rice takes what you have in your pantry and combines it to make a super easy, super quick rice.

You can top it with chopped spring onions and tomatoes for a healthy rice bowl, or use it as the base for rice burritos or vegetarian tacos.

Make it: 3 Ingredient Mexican Rice

Freezer Meatball Stew

When you need to have something that takes minimal prep time and maximum flavor, nothing really beats frozen meatballs. They can be added to sauces, to stews, served on their own, or mixed in with a variety of items to make pretty much any dish. By raiding your pantry, you can actually make a very filling, very tasty meatball stew!

This stew also lasts very well in the fridge, up to 5 days. It can be served on its own, beside rice, with slightly stale toasted bread to use up said bread… the variations are limitless.

Make it: Freezer Meatball Stew

Simple Burrito Bowls

Who in the South doesn’t like a little tex-mex in their day? Then again, who in America doesn’t love it? It’s as much a part of American identity as the Fourth of July, the Stars and Stripes, and the American muscle car. And the best thing about this recipe is, like many things American, you can customize it to be perfect for you. What is presented here are only the recommended ingredients, and what one would expect to find in many households in the South.

The joy of this recipe is that it takes a grand total of maybe 30 minutes to prep, cook, and serve. As well, as stated before, you can mix it up in your own way. Want it spicier? Add some jalapenos to the rice along with the salsa. Too spicy? Take out half the spices from the dressing.

Make it: Easy Burrito Bowls

Tuna Salad Wraps

If you need to empty out the pantry a little, or just use up some vegetables that are still good but have no recipe to be used in, these easy to make wraps are both healthy and filling. They are also easily modified to suit your specific tastes or needs.

You can even add a spicy kick to your tuna mix by using hot sauce or sriracha during the mixing phase, as the original recipe calls for. While the tuna mix can be stored in the fridge, the wraps themselves need to be enjoyed immediately otherwise the tuna will eventually cause the tortillas to become soggy.

Make it: Spicy Tuna Wraps

Chickpea Salad

Dried chickpeas, or canned chickpeas, a common find in many pantries, and usually sit there for an extended period of time as they rarely, if ever, go off. By using these chickpeas with a few simple ingredients, you can make a salad that serves as a perfect sandwich filling, or a dip to enjoy with pita chips.

Make it: Chickpea Salad

Pantry-Raid No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

When you look in your pantry, you probably see a bag of oats, some honey, maybe a jar of peanut butter. Congratulations, you can make a tasty and easy dessert, one that is packed with good fats, natural sugars, and grains, that also satisfies the sweet tooth we all secretly have.

It will also give your jaw a great workout, because these bars are chewy! If you want to add a bit of a savoury kick, add in half a cup of raisins when you add the oats.

Make it: No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Empty-The-Freezer Honey Teriyaki Meatballs

There are times when you open your freezer and sigh. You have that bag of mixed vegetables you bought to use for that one dish that you never actually got around to making. You also might have a pack of Swedish or Italian meatballs in there, waiting to be added to a pasta dish. Yet, these two freezer items can be combined in a way you would never think of to make a delicious Japanese bowl that is simple to make, and has flavor all across the spectrum.

Make it: Empty-The-Freezer Honey Teriyaki Meatballs

Vegan White Bean Italian Soup

Fear not, vegans! We haven’t forgotten about you!

This is also a superb soup for non-vegans, as it’s one of those hearty soups that sticks to you all the way down, and radiates warmth on a cool spring day or when the winter winds blow. It’s also gluten-free, nearly fat free, oil free, high in legume-based protein, and adheres to the strictest of vegan practices.

Make it: Vegan White Bean Italian Soup

One-Pan Italian Chicken Skillet

Not only is this recipe healthy and delicious, it’s also extremely easy to make. As well, using only one skillet for the entirety of the cooking makes it super easy to clean up afterwards. As well, it’s a great recipe to get rid of some frozen chicken and frozen spinach from your freezer, just thaw them both out overnight in the fridge. If you really want to kick it up a healthy notch, you can substitute zucchini in place of the pasta, either in chunks or in shoestrings to make zoodles.

Make it: One-Pan Italian Chicken Skillet

Curried Chickpeas & Spinach

You do not need to sacrifice flavor and nutrition when it comes to this simple dish. Easy to put together with common pantry ingredients, this will be a nice explosion of flavor to treat the family too. It also freezes well, talk about a perfect dish!

Throw this on top of pasta, rice, quinoa, even mashed potatoes. It’s versatile and inexpensive.

Make it: Curried Chickpeas & Spinach

Recipes That Need Minimal Extra Items From The Grocery Store

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

We all love a snack, especially when we have nothing else to do around the house except kick back and watch a movie. However, most of the time, snacks can be somewhat unhealthy. This recipe gives you a healthy alternative that still satisfies the crunch a snack should have, but also packs a ton of flavor, and only uses 8 ingredients total.

Make it: Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

3 Ingredient Mushroom Quiche

Quiche is one of those foods that is nearly impossible to get wrong. It also keeps extremely well in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time and eat as much or as little as you need throughout the week. It is also a food that can be had for breakfast or for dinner, and pairs well with a whole variety of sauces and side dishes.

Make it: 3 Ingredient Mushroom Quiche

Mom’s Oven-Roast Chicken

Quite possibly the easiest recipe on this entire list, oven-roasted chicken is extremely simple to make, extremely difficult to mess up, and leaves you with delicious leftovers for lunches and suppers for days to come. As well, this comes from one of our very own staff, so it’s a Sports Mom special recipe!

What you need:

Ingredients

• 1 chicken, giblets removed
• Salt
• Pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 or 2 large onions
• 1 cup of chicken broth, or water if broth is not available

Tools

• Roasting pan, or a deep sided pan
• Cooking twine to truss the chicken

Recipe

1. Wash the chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. You want the chicken to be as dry as possible after washing.
2. Preheat oven to 450 F
3. While oven is coming up to temperature, slice onion into 6-8 fairly thick slices, at least ¼ inch thick, preferably ½ inch thick.
4. Place onions on the base of the pan, where the chicken will be resting. The idea is to use the onions to keep the chicken from touching the base of the pan.
5. Salt and pepper the inside of the chicken, then toss in the cloves of garlic inside. Truss the base of the drumsticks together. You want to keep the thighs and drumsticks as reasonably tight to the body of the chicken as possible.
6. Place the chicken on the onion slices, breast side up. Adjust the slices and chicken as needed to keep it off the base of the pan.
7. Salt and pepper the entirety of the chicken that is possible. You are looking to get a decent distribution, making sure to get seasonings down onto the wings and inside the thigh gaps.
8. Pour half a cup of the chicken broth or water into the base of the pan. You want the broth or water to be about halfway up the onion slices.
9. By now, the oven should have finished preheating. Place the chicken into the over and let it roast for 20 minutes.
10. Reduce the temperature to 350 F. Check to make sure the broth/water has not completely disappeared. This broth/water layer is to ensure that the pan drippings do not burn and pass a burned taste up into the chicken.
11. If you have a meat thermometer, you want to cook the chicken until the internal temperature of the deep breast is 165 F.
    1.  If you do not have a meat thermometer, a rule of thumb is 20 minutes per pound of chicken once the heat is turned down. As an example, a 4 pound chicken would be 1 hour and 20 minutes cook time.
12. Remove the chicken from the oven. Let it sit for a minute, then transfer it to a cutting board or large plate, and let it rest at least 10 minutes.
13. Remove the garlic from the inside of the chicken. If you want, you can then mash them up and mix with butter or margarine to make roast garlic butter for bread.

Voila! Oven-roasted chicken. If you want to make gravy to go with it, you have the pan drippings in broth/water, which you can strain out into a pan or measuring cup, and mix together with pinches of flour until it starts to thicken to your desired consistency.

The post 12 Delicious Recipes You Can Make With Just The Essentials appeared first on Sports Mom Survival Guide.

Post provided by Joe Abunassar from IMPACT Basketball, an online training and coaching resource. Check out his other post on ideal pre-game nutrition. Learn more about IMPACT at the bottom of this post.

Over the past 27 years, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world. NBA All-Stars, College All-Americans, and International stars at IMPACT Basketball. I have also worked with kids of all ages and abilities. What I have found to be so interesting is that the drills we use for the pros are no different than what young players should be doing at home.

As players of all ages come in and out of our Impact facility to train in Las Vegas, we always stress that one week or one month with us will certainly help players improve, but our mission is to send players away with things to work on each day at home. Whether it is an NBA All-Star or a 10-year-old trying to improve his or her game, extra work on the basic fundamentals of the game are essential.

Here are some drills for ball-handling, shooting, and developing footwork that kids can do on their own, at home throughout the year. Remember, training plays a major role in reducing the risk of injury.

Ball Handling Drills

Bounce, Cross-Over Dribbling Set

Player can do this anywhere there is a flat surface, inside or outside, no hoop required.

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, using 1 basketball, knees bent in an athletic position
• Dribble hard with the right hand, then another dribble with the right crossing the ball over to the left, then back to the right
• Repeat 3x with each hand.

Click here for more details on this drill and video instruction!

Straight Line Cone Series

• Line up a series of cones in a straight line. As the player moves through the cones, make a strong move at each cone, stay low to the ground and keep the forward momentum.
• The cone should be looked at as a defender. Rotate through the different moves at each cone: inside-out, cross-over, inside-out-crossover, behind the back, etc.
• Move at game speed and work to handle the ball at game intensity. This drill can be done anywhere!

Click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Shooting Drills

Squat Shooting

One of the biggest keys to successful shooting for any player is the ability to get low and use the legs in the shot. At Impact, we do a lot of work on footwork and making sure players are low when they shoot the ball.

Many young players rely too much on their upper body to shoot the ball and this drill is excellent for making sure players are getting low and using their lower body in every shot.

• Player will shoot short-range shots from 5 spots around the court:
  • Corner
  • Wing
  • Top
  • Wing
  • Opposite corner
• On every shot, take time and exaggerate the squat before the shot, then go through the shooting motion from that position.

This drill will emphasize getting low on every shot.

Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Around The World

The goal of the Around the World drill is to shoot game-speed spot shots from different spots and different distances to build a players game and improve overall shooting.

• Player will shoot short-range shots from 5 spots around the court:
  • Corner
  • Wing
  • Top
  • Wing
  • Opposite corner
• Player can “make” or “shoot” a certain number of shots
• Catch the ball low, on balance, and ready to shoot
• Work on proper footwork, release, and follow through on every repetition.

Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Footwork & Agility Drill

Quick Feet with Slide

Quick feet and agility are important keys in basketball and something young players can work on at home. Basketball is a game of footwork, balance, and change of speed, and by training the feet to move quickly, players can improve in every way, at every age. This drill combines many aspects of the agility needed to improve.

• Start in a good athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart.
• Start chopping the feet quickly for 5 seconds
• Do a hard defensive lateral slide in one direction for 4 or 5 steps,
• Back to the original position and repeat

Lateral movement is very important in basketball, on both offense and defense and this drill will emphasize both quick feet and lateral movement. Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

No matter what the drills may be, the key to success and improvement is consistency and effort. Young players have to be willing to work on their games often and with great focus. It’s no different for the best players in the NBA.

Hard work and consistency are the key!

If you are looking for more great drills to do at home, visit impactbball.com and check out our complete video library for young players to work on at home.

Visit Us at Impact Basketball for More Tips & Advice for Sports Families

About the Author, Joe Abunassar.

For 25 years, Joe Abunassar and Impact have enabled players and coaches at every level to reach their potential. We pride ourselves on building skills, bodies, confidence, and knowledge in every player or coach we touch.

See more at the IMPACT Basketball blog.

The post 5 Basketball Drills Kids Can Do at Home appeared first on Sports Mom Survival Guide.

Post provided by Joe Abunassar from IMPACT Basketball, an online training and coaching resource. Learn more about IMPACT at the bottom of this post.

As parents of young athletes, we are often challenged with the responsibility of preparing meals before a game that will ensure they will have great energy for a game or practice. We are also busy people without the luxury of always being able to plan, and kids today are so busy running from school to sports and other commitments, time is not always on our side. 

To make things simple for parents, we have curated a list of 5 recipes and advice on how to feed your young athlete before a game or practice session to make sure they have great energy. At IMPACT Basketball, we work very hard to educate both our players and their parents on the importance of great nutrition and how it affects the body. 

Here are some things to know about pre-workout nutrition, and here are five great recipes that are great before a game.

Pre-Workout Nutrition Basics

Whether hitting the weights or gearing up for a soccer game, nutrition that best benefits exertion follows a few rules.

Remember:

Carbohydrates are the Body’s Main Source of Energy

The main portion of the pre-game meal should be quality carbohydrates that will provide energy for the working muscles and keep the mind sharp and alert. 

Some ideas here would be pasta, rice, and other quality grains that can be found in many meals. Vegetables are also important sources of carbs and vitamins and should also be included. 

Players without adequate carbs in the system prior to performance will tend to be sluggish and not sharp mentally. The body will turn to carbs to drive the muscles, and when they are not found, energy levels drop and muscle tissues begin to be destroyed. 

Ideas:

• Small to moderate servings of pasta or rice
• Moderate servings of fruit
• Small to moderate serving of protein

Avoid High-Fat & Fried Foods

The nutritional value of fried high-fat foods is very poor for an athlete trying to perform at his or her best. 

High-fat sauces like Alfredo or cheese sauce should be avoided for pre-game meals. Fats are digested more slowly than carbohydrates, so the energy that fat provides will not be available for use during the game. These high-fat foods can also throw the body off balance so the carbohydrate energy is not able to be utilized. 

Avoid:

• Cheese & cream (including sauces, pizza, etc.)
• Large portions of nuts
• Anything deep-friend

Include a Lean Source of Protein

Combining the protein with high-quality carbohydrates will result in great energy. 

The ratio of carbs to protein is very important. This ideal ratio allows the body to access the glycogen in the muscles that is created by eating quality carbohydrates. When this ratio is off, for example if the pre-game meal is primarily protein without adequate carbs, or too high in fat, the passages to the glycogen in the muscles is actually limited. 

Think of eating right prior to a big game as maximizing the body’s ability to use the stored carbs for energy. In addition, proper ratios will allow the body to access fat storage in the case that the carbohydrate energy is depleted in a longer game or practice. 

Ideas:

• Chicken breasts or boneless/skinless thighs
• Lean cuts of beef or pork
• Vegetable proteins, including moderate portions of beans or chickpeas

Stay Hydrated

Being even a little dehydrated will have a negative effect on performance. 

When the body is dehydrated, energy levels drop and brain function decreases. It is estimated that a dehydrated athlete with 2.5% loss of body weight in the form of water can experience up to a 45% loss in the ability to perform high intensity exercises. 

When an athlete enters into a game or tough practice with low hydration levels, it will be impossible to make up for that deficit, no matter how much fluid is taken in during. 

Pay Attention to Electrolytes

Players who sweat a lot should make sure to include adequate sodium, magnesium, and potassium in their meals. 

Even if the body is hydrated properly, when electrolytes drop, energy also drops. This is also why sports drinks with carbohydrates and electrolytes are useful before and during games to keep the body sharp. Electrolytes help to regulate body fluids and aid muscle and nerve function. Low levels of electrolytes will cause cramping and severe fatigue. 

Ideas:

• Consider a sports drinks shortly before and during the game/workout session
• Consider dietary supplements that boost magnesium and potassium

Avoid Mono-Macro-Meals

Avoid meals that are singularly focused on a single macronutrient, such as a hunk of chicken on its own. 

Things like burritos with chicken or fish, pasta dished with red sauce, or stir-fries with plenty of rice and veggies are great choices for pre-game energy because they offer a varied nutritional profile. 

Keep in mind that foods that are high in sugars are not recommended for pre-game meals. While sugar is a carbohydrate, its “value” is very low as the body burns the energy quickly. When “quality carbohydrates” are mentioned, the value is based on how long it takes for the body to process the energy stored. The longer it takes, the more energy that food will provide. This is where the brown rice, pasta, and other quality grains have their value. 

Get Your Timing Right

The timing of the meal should ideally be about 2 – 3 hours before the event. 

Quality carbohydrates will stay in the system for that amount of time and provide great energy. Avoid eating too close to practice or a game. If time is tight, I recommend eating a nutrition bar or pre-game shake to avoid an upset stomach. Many of the bars and shakes provide ample calories and carbohydrates to fuel the players. They are engineered to provide the proper ratios of carbs, proteins, and fats to provide the body with lasting and quality energy. No matter how good the shakes or bars are, “real food” is always recommended if time and circumstances permit. 

Five Great Pre-Game Recipes

Singapore Noodles With Salmon

This high-impact nutritional whallop takes 30 minutes to whip together and is made with lean salmon filets. Not only is a portion roughly 15 grams of protein, but most of its carbs come from rice noodles, bean sprouts, and vegetables. Yum!

Make it: Quick Singapore Noodles With Salmon recipe

Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breasts With Spaghetti

A small serving of spaghetti noodles paired with asparagus-stuffed chicken breasts is a healthy and tasty meal for any occasion – especially a few hours before a game! Just be sure to avoid the usual spaghetti sides, including garlic bread.

Make it: Chicken Stuffed With Asparagus recipe

Make-Ahead Chicken & Bean Burrito

A burrito may not seem like ideal pre-game nutrition, but keep in mind that you can control portion sizes and ingredients. Burritos can be a great way to pack a lot of nutritional value into a convenient and tasty handheld package. 

For a vegetarian option, skip the chicken and reduce the portion size a bit; beans are a great protein on their own!

Make it: Make-Ahead Chicken & Bean Burrito recipe

Slow Cooker Asian Broccoli Beef

Thinly sliced beef and vegetables always make for a great combination, but you can really level things up simply by adding a slow cooker and a sesame-garlic sauce to the equation. If you want to add some carbs, a healthy bed of rice noodles or rice is always a good choice. 

For a larger nutritional punch, consider adding baby corn and red/green peppers to the mix.

Make it: Slow Cooker Asian Broccoli Beef recipe

Homemade Granola Bars

Because who isn’t on the move these days? Homemade granola bars are a great way to pack in your preferred power – nuts, craisins, and peanut butter are all great choices! This recipe uses 3/4 cup of brown sugar, but you could dial that back to a half-cup (or even a third of a cup) without dialing back the flavor too much.

Make it: Homemade granola bars recipe

Visit Us at Impact Basketball for More Tips & Advice for Sports Families

About the Author, Joe Abunassar. 

For 25 years, Joe Abunassar and Impact have enabled players and coaches at every level to reach their potential. We pride ourselves on building skills, bodies, confidence, and knowledge in every player or coach we touch.

See more at the IMPACT Basketball blog.

References

It is important that you verify the information you read, especially when it comes to your health. In addition to our years of experience as athletes and coaches, we source our information from reputable sources such as:

• Sports Nutrition – 2nd Edition By Asker Jeukendrup & Michael Gleeson 
• https://uk.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpts/dehydration-and-its-effects-on-performance
• https://www.uwhealth.org/health-wellness/eating-for-peak-performance/45232
• https://www.cwu.edu/sports-nutrition/eating-competition

The post Ideal Pre-Game Nutrition: 5 Recipes Perfect for a Pre-Game Energy Boost appeared first on Sports Mom Survival Guide.

Seven months ago I purchased my first pair of Vessi Shoes after seeing numerous ads for them scroll across my Facebook feed. They seem like a novel concept: an affordable shoe that also happened to be completely waterproof. The claim, as it were, is that the hydrophobic materials used allow your feet to sweat without allowing water to penetrate.

Vessi is quick to point out that this level of waterproofness is not achieved via a hydrophobic coating, which could (and likely would) wear off over time, but instead integrated into the material directly.

I live in Calgary, AB, Canada, and Calgary isn’t exactly known for its consistent weather patterns. Rapid temperature swings at all times of the year are common, but I mention this because it’s a particularly big problem for me in winter. Every decent pair of shoes I wear gets ruined in winter when the snow rapidly melts, leaving in its wake a slushy mess that absolutely thrashes shoes.

It was this realization that made me see the value in Vessi’s- if these shoes repel water, does that help make them winter resistant?

My First Pair: The Everyday Sneaker

My younger brother was a huge advocate for his pair of Everyday’s, and so I decided to pick up a pair of the Carbon Blue version, size 11. My actual shoe size is 10.5, but Vessi doesn’t offer half-sizes and recommends that you size up. They arrived about a week after I placed the order.

I was nervous for their arrival since buying clothing sight-unseen is always dicey. This is doubly true for shoes. Thankfully, they fit pretty well- enough snugness around the heel and ball of my foot to feel secure, but not so much that the shoes feel loose and sloppy.

Wear Them Walking, Running, or Really Any Time You Want

From the first time I put them on until now (roughly six months later), the Everyday Sneakers have been comfortable to wear. In fact, they are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I’ve ever owned.

The sole feels lightweight on the foot – you almost bounce as you walk in them (not in a bad way) – and offer excellent support along your arch and heel. Walking in them feels a bit weird for the first few steps, as most shoes lack the same level of support, but you get used to the change quickly. The biggest benefit I’ve experienced is that I can stand in these shoes at a standing desk for 8 hours and experience minimal (if any) fatigue. This is a big deal for me given that I work at a standing desk.

Jogging in the shoes is also a nice changeup, again for the same reason: the heel and arch support reduces mechanical “friction” and facilitates an increased pace and endurance. I really like wearing these when going for walks or runs.

Not Exactly Stylish

Looks are subjective and so I won’t dress the Everyday Sneakers down, but I think we can all agree that they aren’t exactly fashion-forward. They look pretty good, but on the foot they appear a little bulky. This is in part because they are a wider shoe (or at least appear that way thanks to the material that connects the sole and laces).

They aren’t bad looking, but these aren’t the shoes I’d pick if style was my main consideration.

Are They Waterproof?

Indeed they are!

Pair #2: The Everyday Slip-On

Not long ago Vessi announced via their newsletter that they have a new style- the Everyday “Slip-On” shoe. Compared to the Everyday Sneakers, they look more refined, trendy/stylish, and slimmer. AKA: exactly what I was looking for in an every day shoe.

So I ordered a pair in Stone Grey. Unfortunately, not long after receiving them I had to send them back to be warrantied due to a material defect. I wore them three times before I shipped them back. The defect, however small, irked me given how new the shoes were. At the insistence of my wife Melissa, back to Vessi they went.

Vessi offers a 6-month warranty on their shoes, as well as a 60-day “they pay all the bills” return policy. Making a claim is as easy as going to the support site, entering your postal code and order number, and hitting “start a return”. Within an hour of submitting my claim, I was emailed by a rep asking for some more details, so I sent them the above photo. 20 minutes after that she had provided me with a shipping label and an exchange number.

After dropping them in the post, exactly 10 days later I had a new pair of shoes. However, this go around I decided to grab the Barcelona Blue version, and boy howdy am I glad I did.

Slip-On vs. Sneakers: What’s the Difference?

That’s an easy question to answer: the Slip-Ons have no laces and no side material. These two differences totally change the look of the shoe, giving it a slimmer profile that tucks under cuffs with no problems.

What’s the Comfort Factor?

Quite high. These shoes feel great, which is actually surprising to me because for the warranty claim Vessi didn’t have these in a size 11, so I ordered a size 10 and hoped they’d fit.

And they fit great, as it turns out. Just as comfortable as the size 11’s I had ordered, but with a bit more snugness around the sides and top of the foot. I find the increased snugness to be more comfortable, especially when walking or jogging.  This is due to the stretch material, which effortlessly adapts to the size and shape of my feet. 

Ordering a size down was a gamble, but it paid off!

Now These Are Good Looking Shoes

Love it. ‘Nuff said.

Are the Slip-Ons Waterproof?

Yes.

In the above gif, you can clearly see the surface tension of the water causing it to form droplets that slide off the shoe. Even the bit that appears to stay on the shoe sits on the shoe vs. soaking into the fabric.

How Well Are They Made?

Vessi is a crowdfunded company, and it shows. While their shoes are not made poorly, you can see small gaps in their construction that highlight their startup status. They aren’t an established brand with a bunch of tenure- they are the upstart that is attempting to enter and disrupt an already-crowded market.

I have to stress that the gaps in construction are small: a misaligned cut along the edge of the sole here, a tiny gap between the heel and the shoe there. Things that you won’t see unlesse you’re looking for them, but they’re there. Both the Sneakers and Slip-Ons have these small defects, but they’re so small that I can’t be bothered to warranty them.

I was concerned that these defects would cause problems, but after six months with the Sneakers, they still look as good as the day the arrived- none of the small issues I found have grown or changed. 

So Yea, These Shoes Are Pretty Sweet

Aside from a small issue that Vessi’s warranty department handled with absolutely zero drama, the two pairs of Vessi’s I’m rocking have proved to be good quality shoes that do exactly what they claim to.

One major benefit of all this: these shoes are ultra-easy to clean. If your kids like to spend time in the dirt or grass, or if you love to wander off of the beaten path, these shoes will more than stand up to the challenge. I’m a fan.

The post [Review] Vessi Everyday Shoes: Waterproof Shoes for Active People appeared first on Sports Mom Survival Guide.